Here are the photos and Winners for this year:
1st Place: The Country Kids
2nd Place: Select 4-H’ers
3rd Place: Buzzing Enthusiasts
Best 4-H Design: Buzzing Enthusiasts
4th Place: West Clermont Clovers
5th Place: Prime Producers
Most Colorful: Ruff ‘n’ Stuff
Most Creative: Goshen Boosters
Fan Favorite:
Thank you to all the 4-H Clubs that took the time and set up for the Flower Display Contest this year, it added bright spots all over the fairgrounds last week!!
Applications are now open for the Ceil Bee Scholarship. Ceil Bee retired in 2006 after being one of the Fair’s strongest supporters and chair of many committees and projects over the years. This scholarship in her honor is a tribute to her dedicated commitment and service to the Bakery & Pantry Department. Applications are due by July 15, 2025.
Cloverbuds are encouraged to bring an item to share, the item should be something that the Cloverbud made or learned about at a club meeting or as part of their participation in the Cloverbud program. Animals are not permitted as part of Cloverbud Show and Tell, regardless of size.
To help us have an accurate count of participants, please register your Cloverbud at the link below or scan the QR Code.
https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bJlj0ZcqfB9oaLc
Date: Tuesday, July 15th
Check-in Time: 9:30am
Location: 4-H Hall
To register for the Communications Contest please click the link below or scan the QR Code.
https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a31NwTjj7dRRzfg
Awards will be presented Saturday, July 19th 2:30pm (during Winners’ Circle)
GENERAL RULES
1. A member who has given a talk or participated in the marketing division in the previous year is expected to give a new and different talk or present new and different marketing concepts the next year.
2. All work is to be original work created by the 4-H member(s) for 4-H.
PRESENTATION DIVISION RULES
1. Pre-registration must be submitted to the Ohio State University Extension Office by 4:00 p.m. on July 1.
2. A team presentation consists of two people sharing the speaking and teaching role. When members of a team fall into different age categories, they will participate in the older class.
3. Easels, a microphone, a table with/out mirror, a laptop computer, a screen, an LCD projector, and an extension cord will be available for use by participants.
4. All presentations will be given inside the 4-H Hall
5. Due to the limitations of the building’s facilities, no large animals (i.e., horse, beef, sheep, goat, dairy, or hogs over 20 pounds) may be used in a 4-H presentation. Members should use models, photographs, or illustrations to make their point when giving a talk about large animals.
6. Any small animal (under 20 pounds) may be used in a 4-H presentation provided the animals do not place the public at risk and provided they meet all the health requirements established by the Ohio Department of Agriculture Livestock Health Requirements. Current health and shot records must be carried with the animal. Animals must remain caged or leashed before and after the presentation.
7. Members are expected to set up their presentation; however, there will be a judge’s assistant available. A reasonable amount of time will be allotted for set up.
8. All presentations will be timed. Timing begins when the member begins to speak and ends following the conclusion. Questions and answers are not included in the official time.
9. Firearms, bows, arrows, weapons, air pistols or air rifles, paintball guns, gun cases, or any reasonable facsimile are not permitted to be used in a demonstration or illustrated talk. Plastic replicas are permissible, but caution is urged in the use of items that look truly authentic as they may create concerns with fair security and may not be permitted on the fairgrounds.
10. Members who use PowerPoint, Google Slide, Canva, or other similar technology within an illustrated talk or demonstration should use the technology to supplement their delivery. The presentation may not consist solely of a pre-recorded narration. The member is required to provide a live delivery of the topic.
10. A laptop that operates on a Microsoft Windows-based program will be provided for the participant to use if needed. It will include a recent edition of PowerPoint. If you have other software programs, you should bring your laptop. Members may bring a USB flash drive to use on the provided equipment and should have knowledge of how to install the flash drive.
11. Members using technology that experiences computer glitches may, with permission of the judge, call upon outside assistance for technical help. Members are expected to be able to perform routine set-up and use of the equipment.
12. When members using technology experience an equipment failure or glitch that cannot be resolved in a reasonable time (two to three minutes), the judge may elect to move to the next presentation. The member will be given time to work out the technical problem off-stage and then re-schedule the presentation with the judge’s assistant. If the member experiences a second failure, the presentation will be ended and evaluated accordingly.
13. Presenters should plan to arrive 15 minutes early to check in at the registration desk.
14. Presenters are encouraged to attend the Awards Ceremony, which will be held during the Winners’ Circle Ceremony.
16. See specific class rules and schedules for additional information.
PRESENTATION DIVISION CLASSES
Illustrated Talk or Demonstration – without the use of computer technology.
J-1 Junior Individual (age 8-10)
J-2 Junior Team (age 8-10)
• The presenter uses appropriate props and other visual aids to teach others about a subject or how to do something.
• May use charts, posters, or pictures to accompany their illustrated talk or demonstration.
• PowerPoint or computer-generated messages are not used in these classes.
• Presenters are evaluated on their ability to convey information and teach on a particular topic. See the score sheet for more information on the areas of evaluation.
• Presentations should be 5-8 minutes in length.
Illustrated Talks or Demonstrations—with or without the use of Computer Technology
J-3 Intermediate Individual (age 11-13)
J-4 Intermediate Team (age 11-13)
J-5 Senior Individual (age 14 and up)
J-6 Senior Team (age 14 and up)
• The presenter uses appropriate props, posters, and/or computer-generated visual aids to teach others about a particular topic, practice, procedure, scientific principle, or phenomenon. Use of computer-generated visuals is NOT required. Examples:
– A demonstration may be delivered in this category. PowerPoint-type slides may be used in addition to other props to help present the message.
– An illustrated talk may be delivered in this category, with the member(s) using PowerPoint-type technology to present all or part of the visual message; must be accompanied by live narration.
• Requires live speech delivered along with any presentation, poster, or other message. (No pre-recorded narration.)
• Presentations are evaluated on the members’ communication skills and their ability to effectively use technology, posters, or other props to enhance their illustrated talk or demonstration.
• Presentations should be 5-8 minutes in length.
MARKETING DIVISION RULES
1. Any 4-H member meeting age eligibility requirements may enter the Marketing Division.
2. Members participating in Presentation Division Classes J-1 through J-6 also may enter the Marketing Division.
3. A member may enter only one class in the Marketing Division.
4. Use of copyrighted or protected characters or logos is not permitted, except for the 4-H emblem. If used, the 4-H emblem must be used correctly. See https://nifa.usda.gov/4-h-name-and-emblem for guidelines.
5. Registration forms and entries must be submitted for judging by 4:00 p.m. Monday, July 16.
6. All marketing division awards will be presented at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, during the Winners’ Circle awards ceremony.
7. Members do NOT accompany these entries to judging, and judging is NOT open to the public.
MARKETING DIVISION CLASSES
J-7 Junior Individual (age 8-10) – Thank You Card without the use of computer graphics or scrapbooking tools.
J-8 Junior Individual (age 8-10) – Thank You Card with the use of computer graphics or scrapbooking tools.
• Entries in J-7 and J-8 should be original “thank you” card with artwork on the cover. An inside message is not required but may be included at the discretion of the designer. Inside messages will not be judged. Use of the 4-H emblem is strongly encouraged, but not required.
• Card should be on 8 ½ x 11 white cardstock, folded once.
• Art and message must be the original work of the member.
• Member may use any medium, including crayons, chalk, pen and ink, pencil, markers, etc. No use of computers or scrapbooking tools in creating entries in Class J-6. Designs must be hand-lettered and drawn or cut by hand.
• Member’s name, age, and county should be neatly printed in the lower right-hand corner of the back of the card.
• Evaluation will be based on the quality, creativity, and originality of the design.
• By submitting an entry, you give the Clermont County 4-H Committee the right to use the chosen cards as the Clermont County 4-H Program’s official Thank You Cards. The cards will display the 4-H member’s first initial, last name, and club name.
J-9 Intermediate Individual (age 11-13) – 4-H Winter Holiday Card – without the use of computer graphics or scrapbooking tools.
J-10 Intermediate Individual (age 11-13) – 4-H Winter Holiday Card – with the use of computer graphics or scrapbooking tools.
• Entries in J-9 and J-10 should be an original “Holiday” card with artwork on the cover. An inside message is not required but may be included at the discretion of the designer. Inside messages will not be judged. Use of the 4-H emblem is strongly encouraged, but not required.
• Card should be on 8 ½ x 11 white cardstock, folded once.
• Art and message must be the original work of the member.
• Member may use any medium, including crayons, chalk, pen and ink, pencil, markers, etc. No use of computers or scrapbooking tools in creating entries in Class J-8. Designs must be hand-lettered and drawn or cut by hand.
• When using the 4-H logo that is downloaded it must go into the graphics division.
• Artwork or lettering created with the aid of scrapbooking tools or computers is permitted in J-10, provided the design is the original work of the member. No commercially designed clipart may be used.
• These designs must be able to be duplicated.
• Member’s name, age, and county should be neatly printed in the lower right-hand corner of the back of the card.
• Evaluation will be based on the quality, creativity, and originality of the design.
• By submitting an entry, you give the Clermont County 4-H Committee the right to use the chosen cards as the Clermont County 4-H Program’s official Holiday Cards. The cards will display the 4-H member’s first initial and last name.
J-11 Senior Individual (age 14 and up) – Infomercial Promoting 4-H
• This is a video “short” that promotes the 4-H program.
• This must be a fully automated, stand-alone video presentation with sound and narration as appropriate. Think “YouTube.” The video should include recorded visuals, sound, and narration to convey a message.
• The video should be the original work of the member making the entry.
• Images in the video should be appropriate for promoting 4-H. Use pictures of youth who are of 4-H age; when possible, show the diversity of membership, projects, and activities; show youth exercising appropriate safety practices (i.e., wearing helmets on horseback).
• Remember to get signed photo releases from people in the video. You can access the photo release at https://go.osu.edu/photorelease4h.
• The video should be 2-4 minutes long. Penalties may be assessed for videos less than 2 minutes or longer than 4 minutes.
• Videos must be submitted on a flash drive and must play using QuickTime Player or Windows Media Player.
• The member’s name, age, and county must be neatly written on the DVD, along with the presentation title.
• Evaluation will be based on the quality and originality of the message, which should persuade the viewer to action, as well as on the creative and professional use of technology.
• By submitting an entry, you agree to allow counties and/or the state 4-H office to use the promotional video to promote 4-H throughout Ohio.
Junior Fair exhibitors are eligible to earn premiums for the completion of their 4-H projects. Each project exhibited at the Clermont County Fair is worth $2, with each member earning a maximum of $6.
Head Advisors should complete and return the premium form to the Extension Office in person or by email (mitchell.2642@osu.edu ).
NO LATE Premium Forms will be accepted!!!!
MGV’s New Demonstration Garden Article #2 – Let’s talk about drip irrigation.
It’s been just over a month since the Clermont County Master Gardener Volunteers (MGV) planted the new demonstration vegetable garden and we’re excited to see how much it has grown. As we check in on the progress, we also want to share more about how we care for this garden every day.
The garden is maintained daily by the MGV’s volunteering on a rotating basis from May through October. This rotating schedule is a key part of the garden’s routine maintenance. One person manages the watering, weeding, harvesting, pest management, journaling and other general maintenance needs for three consecutive days. Then it is passed to the next volunteer to perform the same duties.
Drip Irrigation: The newest addition
This year, we’ve introduced drip irrigation—a new way to keep the garden watered efficiently and sustainably — and it is already making a big difference.
Setting up drip irrigation for a new garden starts with a simple layout plan. First, decide where your planting rows, raised beds, or containers will be. Then, run a main water supply line (usually a ½” poly tubing) along the garden’s edge or center. From that main line, smaller ¼” tubing—called emitters or drip lines—is run to each plant or bed. Emitters can be spaced out to match plant locations, delivering water slowly and directly to the roots.
A pressure regulator and filter are typically added to prevent clogging and ensure a steady flow of water. For the demonstration garden, we connect the system to a standard spigot and manually turn it on as part of our daily routine.
While some systems include a timer, ours operates without one, and watering is managed by volunteers. This manual approach comes with benefits, such flexibility to adapt watering times to weather patterns or specific plant needs. It also offers a consistent approach to watering and allows the MGVs the opportunity to get to learn and know the system.
Benefits of drip irrigation
Water Efficiency
Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the base of each plant, right where it’s needed most—at the roots. This targeted method drastically reduces water waste due to evaporation or runoff. Compared to traditional hose or sprinkler methods, it can use 30–60% less water, making it a smart choice for regions facing drought or water-use restrictions.
Healthier Plants
Because drip irrigation provides a consistent level of moisture to the soil, plants experience less stress from overwatering or drying out. The steady hydration promotes strong root systems and even growth. Plus, because water isn’t splashed on the leaves, it helps prevent common problems like mildew, blight, and other fungal diseases.
Weed Control
One unexpected bonus of drip irrigation is that it helps control weeds. Since water is only applied near your desired plants, the surrounding soil stays relatively dry, making it harder for weeds to sprout and thrive. Less weeding means more time to enjoy the garden!
Time-Saving
Although it takes a little effort to set up initially, drip irrigation saves a lot of time in the long run. With the system in place, watering becomes a quick and simple task. For those with access to a timer, the system can even be automated, freeing up more time for other garden tasks—or for just relaxing and enjoying the harvest.
Improved Soil Structure
Drip irrigation promotes better soil health by slowly and evenly distributing water. This gentle watering prevents soil erosion and keeps nutrients from being washed away. In raised beds especially, it helps maintain the ideal balance of moisture without compacting the soil.
Adaptable and Scalable
Drip irrigation systems are highly flexible. Whether you’re watering rows of vegetables, raised beds, or potted plants, the tubing and emitters can be easily arranged to fit your layout. And as your garden grows, the system can grow with it—simply add more lines or connectors as needed.
Low Maintenance
Once installed, drip irrigation is relatively low-maintenance. The main tasks include checking for clogs, occasionally flushing the lines, and replacing worn-out parts as needed. With minimal effort, the system continues to deliver water efficiently all season long.
Environmentally Friendly
By reducing waste and directing water exactly where it’s needed, drip irrigation supports sustainable gardening practices. It helps reduce runoff into storm drains and protects local ecosystems while helping your garden flourish with less environmental impact.
We love to have people stop by! The garden grows best when it is shared. If you are ever near the Clermont County Fairgrounds and see someone working in the garden, feel free to stop, ask questions, and check out the space. Or if you need inspiration for your own raised bed drip irrigation system, the garden is always open and available to the public.
Article 1 & 2 submitted by Heather Thompson, Clermont County MGV
Fair pass order forms are due to the Extension Office by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 3rd.You may drop off order forms in person to OSUE or scan/email to mitchell.2642@osu.edu
Head Advisors must complete the fair pass order form and attach their club roster, with the names of club members and adult volunteers who are eligible for a fair pass. Please mark out the names of any individuals who have not met the minimum requirements. Once your roster is confirmed, the Clermont County Ag Society (aka Senior Fair Board) will prepare your passes.
You will be notified when they are ready for pick up at the Senior Fair Board office. Fair passes must be picked up by an adult advisor, not a youth. Payment will be due at the time of pass pick-up. Please make checks payable to the “Clermont County Ag Society.”
Clermont County Junior Fair Royalty Applications are now open!!!!Please fill out this application in order to be considered for the 2025 Clermont County Royalty. (Only ONE application is needed, even if applying for more than one position.)
Applications are due no later than Friday, June 13, 2025.
Interviews will take place Sunday, July 13, 2025. All Applicants are required to ride in the parade on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
